Frequency of metastasis detection with diffusion-weighted whole-body imaging with background body signal suppression

Abstract

Objective: To determine the frequency of metastasis detection with diffusion-weighted whole-body imaging with background body signal suppression. Study Design: A Cross sectional study. Place and Duration of Study: The study was conducted at Punjab Medical College and Allied hospital Radiology and Oncology departments, Faisalabad from January 14, 2010 to May 28, 2012. Patients and Methods: A total number of 86 patients of all ages and both sexes with histopathological diagnosis of carcinoma presenting to the outdoor department and admitted in oncology department of Punjab Medical college and Affiliated hospital were selected. Whole-body MRI was performed using a 1.5-Tesla system (Intera Release 9; Philips, Best, The Netherlands) with a Mobi-Trak moving tabletop and b value of 1000. Both the T1 weighted and the STIR images at each station were reconstructedOn MRI, a lesion of high signal intensity on DWIBS, a lesion of high signal intensity on STIR images and low signal intensity on T1 weighted images was considered to be a suspected metastasis. Results: Out of 86 patients, 70 (81.4%) had metastasis. Osseous metastasis was detected in 13 (18.6%) patients however in 57 (81.4%) patients, both osseous and extra osseous metastasis were detected. Liver metastasis was detected in 47 (82.5%) patients out of 57 patients with extra osseous metastasis. Adrenal metastasis was found in 12 (21.1%) patients, brain in 13 (22.8%) patients, lung in 19 (33.3%) patients, renal in 6(10.5%) patients and peritoneal dissemination was seen in 5 (8.8%) patients. Nodal metastasis was detected in 57 patients and maximum number of 19 lymph nodes were detected. Conclusion: DWIBS MRI is helpful in the early diagnosis of metastasis.